Chapter 26
TWENTY-SIX
cheyenne
Sunday morning, I woke up early, full of energy and spark. I jumped out of bed, put on some workout clothes, and practically skipped down to the kitchen.
My mother was drinking coffee at the table in her robe, reading her newspaper just like always.
“Morning, Mom!” I sang.
“Morning, dear. You’re up early.”
“I’m too excited to sleep.” I poured some coffee, smiling like an idiot as I recalled the way Cole had said he wanted to make it for me in the morning.
“Why?”
Turning around, I leaned back against the counter and took a breath. “Cole asked me to move in with him last night.”
“He what?” My mother’s jaw dropped, and she set her mug down.
“You heard me.” For once, I wore the smug face as I sipped my coffee.
“Well. My goodness.” Her expression was something between shock and happiness. “That was fast.”
“I said the same thing, and I asked him if he was sure, and he said yes. He said he’s too old for games and he knows what he wants.”
My mother sat up even straighter. “Really? Good for him.”
“But Mom, I don’t want you to freak out about this. He didn’t propose.”
“But he will, don’t you think?” She cocked her head. “I mean, if you’re going to have kids, you’ll want to—”
“Oh my God, Mom! I’m not pregnant! We’re just going to live together.”
“For now.” She took the smug back as she picked up her coffee cup again.
“Okay, whatever. I just came down to grab a quick sip of coffee before I work out.”
“You work out?”
I rolled my eyes. “Yes, Mom, I work out. What do you think I bought all those yoga classes for?”
“Beats me. You only went a couple times.”
“Okay, fine, I didn’t love yoga. But I’m going to find an online workout video and maybe get on a new program. I’d like to eat healthier too. Not so much sugar and junk.”
“You picked a tough time to start that, since Christmas is on Friday,” my mother said.
“Good point.” I thought for a moment. “It’ll be my New Year’s resolution, how about that? I’m going to treat my body better. But I’m still going to work out now. I’m filled with energy!”
My mother laughed. “Glad to hear it.”
After I worked out, I took a shower and got dressed. While I was blow drying my hair, I got a text from Cole.
Cole: Good morning, beautiful. Pretty soon I’ll be able to say that instead of type it.
Me: I am still pinching myself.
Cole: So is Mariah.
I was so excited to hear about her reaction, I decided to call him.
“Hello?”
“You told her already?” I squealed.
“Yes. Last night.”
“And she was happy?”
“Ecstatic.” He yawned. “Sorry. Didn’t sleep much last night.”
I smiled. “I’m surprised I slept at all.”
He laughed a little. “Hey, is the rescue shelter open on Sundays? I was going to ask you if you’d like to go over there with me and see if there are any rescue dogs that might be a good fit for Mariah. Then maybe I can give her a picture on Christmas morning or something.”
“That’s an adorable idea, and I’d love to help! What time are you thinking? I’m pretty sure the Sunday hours are noon to five.”
“I have to wait for my mom to get back, which I think will be around three. Does that work?”
“Perfect,” I said. “I’m meeting Blair for lunch at one.”
“Just text me when you get back.”
“Okay. Hey, is it okay to tell her?”
He laughed. “Yes. Go ahead. Tell everyone.”
Blair’s jaw dropped just like my mom’s had. “He what?”
“Asked me to move in with him.” Seated across from her in a booth at the Bellamy Creek Diner, I grinned.
She grinned back. “I told you!”
I laughed. “Yes, you did.”
“And I was sort of kidding. Wow.” She blinked and shook her head. “So I guess he worked through his baggage quick, huh?”
“I guess,” I said, ignoring the tiny tremor in my belly.
The server came by to take our orders, and Blair raised an eyebrow when I ordered just a garden salad.
“I’m trying to watch what I eat,” I explained.
“Oh. Well, while I watch you eat a salad, I’m going to eat a grilled cheese and tomato sandwich with fries.”
My mouth watered at the thought of hot, gooey provolone. Thick, crispy fries. “Okay.”
When the server had gone, Blair said, “Okay, tell me everything. Leave nothing out.”
Taking a deep breath, I told her everything about the previous twenty-four hours—how we’d enjoyed the day together, how Mariah kept wanting to sit between us, how he’d walked me home after the movie and asked me to live with him right there on my front porch.
“It’s so perfect,” she gushed. “How did you even sleep last night?”
“I don’t know,” I admitted, fiddling with my napkin in my lap. “There was one thing that had me kind of worried, though.”
“What?”
“Just this weird mood shift at one point. The entire day had been so great, and then back at his house, I suddenly felt like he was on the verge of a breakdown or something. He was anxious and silent. Fidgety and sweaty and hardly able to sit still. I was listening to him breathe during the movie and I totally thought he was about to have a heart attack.”
Blair’s eyes went wide. “Seriously?”
“Yes. Then after the movie he lost his temper with Mariah, which I’ve never seen before. In fact, I don’t think I’ve seen Cole lose his temper, ever. Not in twenty-five years.”
“Really? God, Griffin loses his temper daily at something or other.”
“But Griffin has always been a hothead. Cole’s always been the cool hand, the level head.”
“Hm.” Blair sipped her iced tea. “Those symptoms you described almost sound like a panic attack. Does he ever have those?”
“I don’t know. Not that he’s told me.” I thought for a moment. “He kind of prides himself on his control, you know? On keeping calm in a crisis. Maybe it’s his police training.”
“Makes sense.” She thought for a moment. “So maybe the occasional broody silence or temper tantrum is just part of his personality that he hides from everyone else, especially on the job. Maybe showing it to you means he feels close to you. It could be a good thing.”
“Maybe. And anyway, once he walked me home, everything was fine. Better than fine.”
“Sounds like it.”
The server returned with our lunches, and I eyeballed Blair’s sandwich and fries with envy. Not that there was anything wrong with my salad, but . . .
“Would you like half my sandwich?” she asked.
“No.” Sitting up taller, I picked up my fork. “The salad is fine. I really do want to eat better.”
“Good for you.”
“And I’m feeling really strong today. Really good about myself.”
“I love that.”
“I mean, it’s still hard for me to believe I’m the one he wants, but—”
“Stop.” Blair pinned me with a look. “He wants you.”
“He wants me.” I couldn’t help smiling.
“So let’s have a toast.” Blair picked up a French fry and raised it.
Plucking one from her plate, I lifted it to hers. “To happily ever after.”
“Yes,” she said. “Amor vincit omnia.”
“What does that mean?”
She smiled. “Love conquers all.”